Pinocchio is back

The musical adaptation to Carlo Collodi’s Pinocchio is back in Dumaguete with shows on Friday and Saturday at the Silliman Luce Auditorium.  The story of the puppet’s quest to become a real boy while learning life’s lessons of being truthful, obedient and brave finds application right into the heart of the scandalous mess we, as a nation, find ourselves in.

“Gepetto is an elderly puppet maker who creates a life-size puppet because of his longing for a son.  Being such a good man, the Blue Fairy brings Pinocchio to life and tells the puppet he can become a real boy by being good and obeying his father. Unfortunately, Pinocchio repeatedly finds himself in situations in which he is tempted to disobey.  He skips classes, lies instead of telling the truth, and he detours to the Land of the Toys instead of going straight home.  When he discovers that a whale has swallowed Gepetto, the puppet bravely journeys into the ocean and selflessly risks his life to save his father” and in the process learns his lessons which transforms the puppet into a real boy.

In the quest for life, the puppet had to make choices, for living can indeed be characterized by the continuing stream of choices we make.  Our senators and a majority of their constituents have to make choices on the limitations set by the Supreme Court on asking a public servant named Romulo Neri the following questions: Did the President (GMA) ask him to approve the contract despite his report of bribery and kickbacks? Did the President order him to prioritize the project? Did the President follow up on the contract? Some unsolicited comments, as to the first question, despite the reported bribery and kickbacks, the contract passed the NEDA then headed by Mr. Neri. 

As to the second, the President herself witnessed the signing of the contract by flying to China while her husband was in the hospital. And as to the third, the Chief Executive of the government has command responsibility and accountability for the implementation of a contract involving $329 million.  So do we really need to ask those questions for confirmation by Mr. Neri?

However, it would be very interestingly informative to comprehend the basis for the Supreme Court to have imposed these constraints. Since I have not come across help on trying to understand the why behind the prohibition, maybe just maybe the Supreme Court is of the position that Mr. Neri’s nose may grow long, longer, longest when asked to answer these questions. Or the Supreme Court is saving these questions for GMA to answer herself.

* * *

St. Peter stood at the Pearly Gates, waiting for the incoming. He saw Jesus walking by and caught his attention.  “Jesus, could you mind the gate while I go do an errand?" “Sure," replied Jesus. “What do I have to do?" “Just find out about the people who arrive. Ask about their background, their family, and their lives. Then decide if they deserve entry into Heaven." “Sounds easy enough. OK." So Jesus waited at the gates while St. Peter went off on his errand. The first person to approach the gates was a wrinkled old man. Jesus summoned him to the examination table and sat across from him. Jesus peered at the old man and asked, “What was it you did for a living?" The old man replied, "I was a carpenter." Jesus remembered his own earthly existence and leaned forward. “Did you have any family?" he asked. “Yes, I had a son, but I lost him." Jesus leaned forward some more. “You lost your son? Can you tell me about him?" “Well, he had holes in his hands and feet." Jesus leaned forward even more and whispered, “Father?" The old man leaned forward and whispered, “Pinocchio?"*